h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here's where useful and valuable suggestions from those of you who - for some reason or other - choose not to become an Arbiter but prefer to simply be on our Advisory Board. Your suggestions are appreciated!

I hate to start this on a negative note, but you need to have some scheme in place to pre-vet Arbiter volunteers.. (The unkindest cut of all, ooh-arrr, missus...)

Nothing heavy, just make sure their user page has existed since *before* the flame war they're being called upon to arbitrate. I may just have a suspicious mind, but I could see a situation where one side in a long running flame war could set up a new identity, volunteer it as an arbiter, then invite it to intercede...

Without Italic backing, you don't have the facilities to definitively check multiple personae...

That's certainly a good point!

I also think that we should keep a limit on the number of Arbiters. I think that the suggested 13 (not checking on all the ADT backlog) would be sufficient and we could enlage on the number if need be. And we sure should get some non-SBVM Arbiters as the SBVM seems to often be in the places where the flames are reaching high.
(Just look at the fact that a number of the ADT people are members of the SBVM, too.) This might disqualify them from arbitrating a dispute.

Hows about a "you can't be called to arbitrate on a thread to which you've already posted before the request" rule?

Naw, too ridgid for my taste. Say you posted a sentence like
"I fear this will have unwanted consequences for the community" as posting #42 in the Lifeban thread. The suggested rule would keep me from arbitrating any later dispute arising out of that thread (1400+ postings).
I think the suggested rules of the scheme are suffient to cover the bases.

All it would mean is that you'd have to draft in a different arbiter! Of course, it might be a problem if there was a dispute on the arbiter sign-up thread...

Anyhow, the fact you'd posted on the thread of your own accord (i.e. before being asked to) would mark you as having an interest in the subject, hence comprimising any appearance of neutrality...

Not necessarily. Just take a look at the topic drift factors around here

I guess you could have posted to try to calm things down before the arbiters were called in by someone else...

Hi! Glad you found the way!
Good question -- should Arbiters try to defuse situations or should they stay out of them?